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How do you deal with the stress?

S

sammey90

Member
Messages
8
Type of diabetes
Parent
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi

My daughter, 12, was diagnosed with t1 diabetes on 28.3.14 - she had a blood test on the Wednesday, then on the Friday morning the doctors were calling us from work and school about the results. The doctor did a urine test, told myvdaughter that she was surprised that she looked so well, and packed us straight off to hospital, bg +++ and ketones+++ (whatever that reallly means!).

She came home on the Sunday, and I stayed home with her for the week, perhaps misunderstanding the nurse, and thinking that she shouldnt go back until they had met with the school to arrange her care plan (today). I went back to work monday afternoon as it was parents evening (I'm a teacher), leaving my daughter home alone. On the Tuesday she was ok, until she had a hypo (2nd ever!) at 3.30pm while I was still at work. It was horrible, having to hurry out, try to remember everything I needed to take home while she was crying down the phone, and trying to be calm and keep her talking.

I haven't gone in today or yesterday, can't face it, so I made some **** excuse and sent in cover work. I must go tomorrow as it's easter next week, but I feel so guilty leaving her at home.

On monday, I was told that I would only be paid for two of the five days that I was off, and any further time would be unpaid - I have no real problem with that, it is the policy, and they have been quite nice otherwise ( could do without losing money though!).

The sensible part of my brain knows that she'll be fine once shes back at school, that she can mostly manage at home by herself, that my issues with work are more to do with my self confidence than her diabetes, and that im just plain ****, messy and disorganised.

After all that rambling, how do you guys deal with it all?

Thanks, Sarah

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I don't think anyone can, it's stressful and no one would just breeze through. I guess parroting old sayings won't help much, like "you take it one day at a time"
I remember when my first born, as a baby had a night temperature from a cold. that was stressful enough for me and I can only imagine what you are going through, It will get easier as you and your daughter learn how to handle T1
 
Stop beating yourself up! Of course you shouldn't have gone in. I too am a teacher so I can relate to the pressures of the job. And boy, are there pressures! Ask yourself this: how many times have you been forced to put the job before your family? How many school plays, sports days, parents evenings have you missed because of work? How many times have you stuck her infront of the TV so that you could mark books or make sure that everything is perfect because Ofsted are coming in? And here's the best one: what per portion of your weekends and holidays to you work?
Give yourself a break. You've all been through a traumatic experience! For once you've put her and you first! Well done! I wouldn't want my daughter in school without a care plan in place. It's really important that everyone knows what they're doing. That said, children are surprisingly resilient and I'm sure she'll be just fine. She was in hospital. It was extremely serious. The school should understand that - it's not like it was a cold!
This forum is a great place. You will meet some truly great people who will be only too happy to share experiences and point you in the right direction! Good luck!
 
What a rotten situation, but on the upside, at least you both now have a couple of weeks without school when you can hopefully start building some experience and confidence.
 
Hi, thanks for your replies. The holidays are my sanity at the moment! !

I just get myself caught up in a vicious cycle of guilt and 'should be's and end up in a mess. I know I'm not the only one, but sometimes I feel that I just need a day off from it all!!

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sammey90 said:
Hi, thanks for your replies. The holidays are my sanity at the moment! !

I just get myself caught up in a vicious cycle of guilt and 'should be's and end up in a mess. I know I'm not the only one, but sometimes I feel that I just need a day off from it all!!

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Then give yourself a day off. Do something for a couple of hours on your own. If you feel relaxed and happy then so will your family. Big hug!
 
Oops too fast posting there. The time around my daughters diagnosis was the most stressful time of my life. I definatley went through the stages of grief and just when i thought i was getting there i'd fall to pieces again!. The 'forever' aspect of a type 1 diagnosis was very difficult for me to accept. How could my baby have to deal with this forever!! I gained so much strength from my daughter though. Watching my then 5year old have bg tests and injections with no complaining made me so proud. Its been 16 months since her diagnosis and things do definatley get easier.
You have to give yourself a break. Work is work but at a time like this family has to come first. I hope you manage to enjoy the holidays and also get so you time. I only recently found this forum and would agree how great a place it is. :-)

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Stress is caused by resistance to thoughts. Do not live in past or future. Live in the present moment. Never identify yourself with the 'thinker' (mental dialogue). Never resist to thoughts and just be an observer. If you identify the thoughts as you, then you are unconcious and leads to all kinds of sufferings. Best way to be present is to observe the emotions and the environment around you. If you find mismatch in thoughts and emotions, thought is illusion and emotions display your true issues etc. Live the life with positivity and experience the happiness now, not future event or past.
 
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